An electric Honda CRX was constructed long before Tesla came onto the scene. Eventually, it found its way to a junkyard.

      Kyle Khemmanivong

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      Electric vehicles didn't originate with Tesla. A century ago, electric motors were in competition with internal combustion engines and steam power to dominate the automotive scene. Although they ultimately lost, motors and batteries didn't disappear. Instead, some individuals utilized available components to construct their own electric vehicles, which seems to be the case with this first-generation Honda CRX, discovered by a friend of The Drive at a Pick Your Part in Chula Vista, California.

      Now deteriorating and in disrepair, the CRX displays obvious EV decals (including a sadly relevant mention of high gas prices) on the exterior and appears to contain significant DIY modifications inside. The battery pack is positioned behind the seats, with control electronics jammed into every available nook. Just in front of the driver's side rear wheel well sits an onboard charger identified as a K&W BC-20, which, based on a brief forum search, seems to be favored for DIY conversions, further suggesting that this is not a factory or aftermarket corporate build.

      Several businesses focused on EV conversions prior to the renewed interest from automakers in the 21st century. The Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) offered converted Ford Fairmonts to the federal government. A Sears XDH-1, an electric-converted Fiat 128, was the first electric vehicle to tackle Pikes Peak. However, there are no known commercially available CRX conversions.

      As per a history posted on the company's global website, Honda did create an EV prototype based on the second-generation CRX. This project served primarily as a familiarization exercise for the automaker’s first EV development team, established in 1988. The prototype featured a single electric motor that generated only 26 horsepower, complemented by an aluminum body and acrylic windows to reduce weight. The insights gained from this project laid the groundwork for the Honda EV Plus, a compact hatchback produced by Honda in the 1990s to adhere to California’s zero-emission vehicle regulations.

      Honda showed greater interest in alternative powertrain innovations. Rather than pursuing a second-generation EV, it repurposed leftover EV Plus chassis to launch its initial series of FCX fuel-cell vehicles. Even as the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf demonstrated that modern battery-electric vehicles could be viable at scale, hydrogen and hybrids remained the priority.

      The resistance to EVs seemed to diminish with Honda's plans to introduce the 0 Series, but that potentially groundbreaking line of electric vehicles has been scrapped for the U.S. market. Honda has been quick to highlight that regulatory conditions are not currently favorable for selling electric cars in the “land of the free.” Nonetheless, this CRX—a remnant from an era before public charging stations and lithium-ion batteries—demonstrates that dedicated EV enthusiasts will always persist.

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